The History of Education in the US | Part 1 | Horace Mann
We are starting our adventure into history with Horace Mann, who lived from 1796-1859. Mann was the first US politician to push for schools that were FREE to the public. At the time, Mann's six principles of education were RADICAL, although they may seem standard from today's perspective.
(1) Citizens cannot maintain both ignorance and freedom
(2) Education should be paid for, controlled, and maintained by the public
(3) Education should be provided in schools that embrace children from varying backgrounds
(4) Education must be non-sectarian (not affiliated with a particular religion or political party)
(5) Education must be taught using tenets of a free society
(6) Education must be provided by well-trained, professional teachers
Although Mann was a staunch activist against slavery and led one of the earliest equal-opportunity universities – it would take the newly formed United States another decade before public schools for African-American children were opened in the late 1860s.
Once a radical idea, students of all ages, nationalities, races, and identities enjoy free public education today because of Horace Mann. Check out our sources below to learn more.
